The night stay programme, meanwhile, is now attracting flak not only from the opposition that terms it as a drama but also from within the BJP.

Anupama Jaiswal

Lucknow: Even as the Yogi Adityanath government tries to fight back the bad publicity it got after UP minister Suresh Rana ordered food from an eatery when he visited a dalit family in Aligarh to share a meal them, another UP minister has come up with her own tale of woe regarding the BJP’s “Samajik Samrasta Bhoj” programme.

According to UP basic education minister Anupama Jaiswal, leaders going for night stay in villages “have to brave mosquito bites all night”.

“We have to put up with mosquitoes all night, but we are still going to villages to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the poorest sections of society. In the end, we are happy with the visit despite mosquitoes,” she said.

The minister’s comments, however, are effectively contradicted by district officials who make arrangements for ministers’ night stay in villages.

“We arrange coolers, mosquito nets, mosquito repellents and even generators so that there is not disruption in power supply. It is almost a four star stay for ministers. In fact, it was only chief minister Yogi Adityanath who got mattresses removed and slept on a wooden cot in Pratapgarh last week, All other ministers make sure that they do not compromise on comfort,” said an additional district magistrate.

He added that apart from the ministers, it is their staff accompanying them that also expects to receive similar treatment.

The night stay programme, meanwhile, is now attracting flak not only from the opposition that terms it as a drama but also from within the BJP.